Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has announced a crackdown on all buildings in Mombasa County established without requisite construction permits.
Speaking during a stakeholder meeting in Mombasa on Tuesday, December 3, Nassir outlined plans to file criminal complaints against those found building without the permits.
He said that he would soon be filing complaints with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for a stern action against those found culpable.
According to the governor, despite efforts by the Mombasa County Government to rectify the drainage system, some developers were still defying county derives by building on wetlands.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir addressing residents on September 15, 2023
Photo
Abdulswamad Nassir
“We are going to take a different approach, we are not going to charge people anymore for building without a permit, we are going to recommend to the DCI and the ODPP for action,” Nassir stated.
While addressing the gathering, Governor Nassir ordered the County Executive Committee (CEC) in charge of lands to launch a crackdown on all illegal buildings and recommend necessary action.
The governor assured the residents that his administration would do everything possible to ensure no more deaths were caused by shaky buildings.
“There is no mercy this time round if a person has built without permission, we will demolish the buildings and if the building is yet to cause any damage, we will recommend charges against you,” the governor said.
Governor Abdulswaman’s latest directive comes a day after five people died in Miritini, Jomvu, Mombasa County after being hit by a falling perimeter wall.
The incident which occurred on Monday, December 2, took place while the victims were sheltering from the heavy rains that had disrupted a burial ceremony in the area.
According to an official from the county disaster management team, the five were hit by a wall that fell as a result of a heavy downpour experienced in the area that soaked up the wall.
Among those killed on the spot were three women and a baby, while the fifth victim succumbed while receiving treatment. Meanwhile, several others sustained serious injuries but were treated.
A collapsed perimeter wall in Miritini, Jomvu, Mombasa County. PHOTO/ Courtesy.